AFP, BARCELONA
Barcelona secured their 29th Spanish league title on Sunday after defeating Real Madrid 2-0 in El Clasico. Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres in the first half helped Hansi Flick's side clinch La Liga for the second consecutive year, while condemning Madrid to a trophyless season. Barca now holds an insurmountable 14-point lead over second-place Los Blancos with three matches remaining.
Barcelona players celebrate winning the Spanish La Liga title after their match against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on Sunday.
Photo: AFP
This is only the second time the outcome of La Liga has been decided directly by the result of an El Clasico, with record 36-time champions Real Madrid winning their first title in 1932 after a draw with Barca. Flick's team were disappointed to be knocked out in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid last month, but were still determined to celebrate in style.
"This title is more special for winning it at home against Madrid, now we have to enjoy it with the fans," Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong told Movistar. "We have been the best team in Spain—of course we also want to win the Champions League, that's the objective." "Next year we will have another opportunity," he added. Madrid arrived at the match amidst turmoil, after midfielder Fede Valverde was ruled out with a head injury following a training ground scuffle with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni, who started. Barca coach Flick received bad news before the game, with his father passing away, but he still took his place on the touchline to oversee his side's comfortable victory. "It has been a tough day. It started in the morning and I will never forget this day," Flick told fans on the pitch. "I'm really proud that we have such a team. I want to say thank you to everyone, thank you for everything, thanks for really fighting. I really appreciate that a lot."